30 Sep Shoe Sensation Growing Headquarters and Distribution Center
Shoe Sensation, Inc., a regional chain of family shoe stores, announced plans to expand its corporate headquarters and distribution center here, creating up to 32 new jobs by 2017.
The homegrown-Hoosier company will invest $800,000 to lease, renovate and equip a 92,000 square-foot facility at the America Place Business Park in Jeffersonville, gaining 40,000 additional square feet for inbound and outbound product delivery. Beginning operations earlier this month, the company’s new distribution center and corporate headquarters will allow it to supply its current 100 stores, in addition to meeting its goal of supporting more than 150 stores in just over two years.
“Shoe Sensation’s decision to expand its headquarters in Indiana reaffirms the confidence that flourishing companies have in our pro-business environment,” said Eric Doden, president of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation. “This company’s plans are in step with the Hoosier State’s growing economy, with companies from down the street to around the world continually choosing to grow their headquarters here in Indiana, a state that works.”
Shoe Sensation currently employs 850 associates at its stores across 16 states, including more than 90 Hoosiers and 60 full-time associates at the company’s Jeffersonville headquarters. It has already begun hiring buyers, allocators, human resource professionals, accountants, advertising specialists, warehouse associates and real estate professionals. Interested applicants may apply online at www.shoesensation.com/career.html.
“We are very excited about the expansion of our distribution facility, which will enable us to add 32 new jobs to our community,” said Michael Zawoysky, chief executive officer of Shoe Sensation. “In addition to the new jobs in southern Indiana, this expansion gives us the facility space needed to grow our retail portfolio in Indiana and surrounding states. The support we have received from the state of Indiana and the city of Jeffersonville has been an invaluable part of our continued growth.”
Founded in 1984, Shoe Sensation sells name-brand footwear for women, men and children, primarily serving small communities in Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia and Wisconsin. With its focus on supporting local communities, Shoe Sensation has already opened 14 new stores this year. The company has 18 stores in Indiana, with Kendallville, Washington and Vincennes stores opening just this year. Earlier this month, Shoe Sensation opened its 100th store in Corydon, Indiana.
The Indiana Economic Development Corporation offered Shoe Sensation, Inc. up to $350,000 in conditional tax credits based on the company’s job creation plans. These tax credits are performance-based, meaning until Hoosiers are hired, the company is not eligible to claim incentives. The city of Jeffersonville approved additional tax abatement at the request of One Southern Indiana.